In an era where most companies were creating mutant teams and soldiers, Tyco decided to introduce a team of warriors that rode on top of armored dinosaurs. They took note of a rising surge of dinosaur interest in the 1980s when they decided to make them the focal point. However, they knew that they could not simply release a bunch of dinosaur toys. They instead decided to create a crossover between the futuristic and the prehistoric with the Dino-Riders.
Like most good toy lines in the era, the Dino-Riders featured two opposing forces. On the side of freedom and general good were the Valorians, often referred to as the Dino-Riders on the toys. These people came from the planet Valoria and tamed their mounts by befriending them. Opposing them were the vile, reptilian Rulons, who conquered and dominated dinosaurs to turn them into walking battle tanks. Both groups outfitted their mounts with futuristic laser weapons and armor as they fought for dominance.
Unlike most toy lines, the Dino-Riders were introduced to the market post-Christmas in 1988. Tyco believed that they would be able to capitalize on the wave of children with returns and Christmas money to spend. Luckily, their gamble paid off and the toy line lasted for three series. Complimenting this toy line was a 13-episode-long cartoon series that mostly aired in 1988. As the toy line came to a close in 1990, the cartoon series gained a VHS-exclusive 14th episode that helped herald in the Ice Age creatures.
Presenting the top ten most expensive Dino-Riders toys
The unique combination of technology and prehistoric animals made Dino-Riders stand out. So, it has retained a strong following up to the current day. Unfortunately, most of these toys lost their large array of weapons and accessories. Moreover, it is rare to find a figure that retains working electronics like the ability to walk the Earth. So, complete, working copies of Dino-Riders toys often sell for high prices. This is even more true when a mint-in-box copy becomes available.
With these factors, there is little surprise that these toys are usually some of the best-selling vintage toy brands. Some of the larger toys and rare copies easily sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars. We are excited to explore the top ten most expensive Dino-Riders toys that have sold on online auction sites like eBay.
10. Triceratops with Hammerhead and Sidewinder Evil Rulon Warriors from Japan
While Tyco was not the largest toy manufacturer in the 1980s, they still directly produced their toys in multiple markets. One of these markets was Japan, where they produced the 武装恐竜DINOS, or Armed Dinosaurs Dinos, toy line. Since this line was directly produced by Tyco, it brought all the excitement of the Dino-Riders to the region with few differences between the versions.
For the most part, the Japanese version of this toy only stands out because of it’s packaging. While the basics of the packaging were the same, the Japanese version features mostly Japanese Kanji and Katakana. This is far from surprising, given that it was the native language there. However, it did include some English text, such as the name of the toy.
Despite the lack of differences, another country’s version of a toy tends to become rare and valuable in the second-hand American market. With this in mind, there is little surprise that this toy sold on eBay for $899.99 on December 14, 2022.
9. Kentrosaurus with Krok Evil Rulon Warrior
While the Stegosaurus is the most popular of the Stegosuridae family, there were multiple other species within it. The entire family was well defined by the bony plates or spikes on the back of these quadruped herbivores. Likewise, the Kentrosaurus had two rows of bony plates on its back, along with spikes on its tail. However, the plates transitioned to spikes around halfway down the back.
Tyco described the Kentrosaurus as “a large plated dinosaur about 16 feet (5m) long. Most Kentrosaurus skeletons were found at the famous Tendaguru site in Tanzania. The skeletons resemble the Stegosaurus, except the Kentrosaurus had more primitive armor. It had triangular plates on the neck and spines on the back, tail, and shoulders. Some of these spines were more than 2 feet long and were used for defense”.
The Dino-Riders Kentrosaurus came with one action figure along with armor that could be clipped onto the dinosaur. The action figure was Krok, the evil Rulon Warrior. Its weapons included gull-wing armor shields and a battle-action whipping tail with a spiked mace. This toy came out in the 2nd series of Dino-Riders toys that Tyco produced in 1989.
One of these toys sold on eBay for $910.00 on October 10, 2017.
8. Stegosaurus with Tark and Vega Heroic Dino-Rider
When it comes to dinosaurs, there are a few different species that appear in nearly every type of media. One of these creatures is the powerful and defensive Stegosaurus. With a row of parallel plates on its back and four spikes on its tail, the Stegosaurus was ready to defend itself and its young against predators.
Tyco described the Stegosaurus in this way: “The most noticeable feature of the Stegosaurus (“plated reptile”) are the large plates and spines on its neck, back, and tail. Many dinosaur experts believe these plates were used by the Stegosaurus to adjust its body heat. The spines on his tail were used to defend itself against enemies.
In spite of their size, these dinosaurs had very small teeth. They fed on plants, probably by browsing on the ground or removing trees from leaves.”
This toy came with two Dino-Riders action figures: Tark and Vega. It was ready for action with battery-powered walking action. Meanwhile, its weapons included a double-edged tail blade and armor.
One of these toys popped up on eBay in mint-in-box condition. It sold for $949.00 on October 28, 2017.
7. Torosaurus with Gunnur and Magnus Heroic Dino-Riders
Like the Stegosuridae family, many different species fell under the Ceratopsidae family, which included the Triceratops. This genetic family was defined by the bony frills that protected the necks of these herbivores. While many had horns, some did not.
Tyco described the Torosaurus as follows: “The Torosaurus (piercing reptile) was about 25 feet long. Torosaurus had a horny beak, a small horn on its nose, and two large ones pointing forward above its eyes. Its massive skull measured up to 8.5 feet long which makes it the largest known skull of any land animal.”
This toy came with two heroic Dino-Riders: Gunnur and Magnus. Like most of the other dinosaurs from the Dino-Riders toy line, the Torosaurus could walk into battle. Otherwise, it could be fully armed with twin-rotating command centers and heavy, studded armor with laser cannons.
One of these toys sold on eBay in mint-in-box condition for $1,025.00 on November 14, 2017.
6. Pachyrhinosaurus with Atlas Heroic Dino-Rider
While the Torosaurus had some similarities to its well-known cousin, the Triceratops, the Pachyrhinossaurus stood from the crowd. While it still had an array of different horns around its head, there was a prominent bony growth that sprouted out from the center of its face. Thus, this dinosaur could easily gore any creature that it charged at.
Tyco described the Pachyrhinosaurus in this way: “Pachyrhinosaurus is one of the most unusual horned dinosaurs. It had no horns and a thick mass of bone in the middle of its snout, between the eyes. Pachyrhinosaurus was a large animal. Its skull alone measured up to 4.5 feet long, and its body may have been 20 feet long.”
It came with a single Dino-Riders action figure: Atlas. Beyond its electronic, motorized walking feature, this dinosaur also had multiple weapons on its armor. These weapons included a sleek command module with laser cannons.
One of these toys was sold on eBay in mint-in-box condition. It sold for $1,525.00 on October 26, 2014.
5. Chasmosaurus with Llava Heroic Dino-Rider
Many of the dinosaurs chosen for the Dino-Riders toy line fell under the Ceratopsidae family. These dinosaurs have always been popular since their large frills made them stand out in museums and art. Still, some were smaller and more demure than the most popular member of the species: the Triceratops. Such was the case of the tri-horned Chasmosaurus.
Tyco described this dinosaur as follows: “The Chamosaurus was the earliest long-frilled ceratopsian and was over 16 feet long. At the back of its head, there was a long frill made from the skull bones, which had grown backward. The frill covered the back of the neck, which could have been a soft place for Tyrannosaurus Rex to bite into.”
This 1/24th scale dinosaur came with a single Dino-Rider action figure, Llava. Its head could be used as a battering ram while the legs could move. Otherwise, its armor featured a high-impact protective shield.
One of these toys sold in mint-in-box condition on eBay for $1,589.00 on February 09, 2016.
4. Tyrannosaurus Rex with Krulos and Cobrus Evil Rulon Warriors
Some dinosaurs need next to no preamble to introduce them. One of them is the tyrant king that towered over most other Theropods, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. This creature has appeared prominently in media since its discovery in 1905. It has hunted and brawled in animated pieces like Fantasia and The Land Before Time. It has also been the mascot for Jurassic Park. So, Tyco was not going to make a dinosaur-themed toy line without a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
They described this apex predator as follows: “Tyrannosaurus (“Tyrant Reptile”) was one of the biggest meat-eaters that ever lived. It was up to 50 feet long and 20 feet high. Tyrannosaurus had a massive head that was 5 feet long, and its powerful jaws were lined with large sharp teeth. The forearms were short but well-muscled and ended in a pair of large claws. Its primary weapons were large talons on its massive hind limbs and the 6-inch recurved fangs that lined its jaws.”
This toy came with two evil Rulon Warrior action figures: Krulos and Cobrus. As one of the largest toys in the line, the T-rex’s armor could hold multiple laser weapons. Its armor also included a pivoting command tower, rear deflector shields, leg armor, twin laser cannons, and more. The dinosaur also had a motorized walking action.
One of these toys sold in mint-in-box condition on eBay for $1,900.00 on July 25, 2009.
3. Quetzalcoatlus with Algar Evil Rulon Warrior
While Pteradon is by far the most popular of the Pterosauria order, there was a far larger family ready to take to the skies. Quetzalcoatlus is unquestionably one of the largest flying animals that have ever existed. This web-winged reptile’s wingspan averaged around 10 to 11 meters, or 33 to 36 feet long. So, it was the perfect selection to take into battle.
Tyco described this creature as follows: “The Quetzalcoatlus (Aztec serpent god) is a pterodactyloid with a thirty-foot wing span. It is by far the largest known flying creature. After the Quetzalcoatlus died, there were no more pterosaurs. They became extinct near the end of the Mesozoic Era along with dinosaurs, plesiosaurs, and many kinds of plants.”
This 1/24th scale dinosaur came with the Evil Rulon Warrior action figure, Algar. The dinosaur featured flapping battle-action wings, opening jaws, and a poseable head. Meanwhile, its armor had a turbojet pilot’s seat and twin laser pods.
One of these toys sold on eBay for $1,989.00 on February 03, 2016.
2. Brontosaurus with Serena, Ayce, and Ion Heroic Dino-Riders
There have been few larger land animals than the Brontosaurus that roamed the land in the late Jurassic period. Despite being dwarfed by some of its genetic cousins like the Brachiosaurus, the Brontosaurus made a great battle station for the Dino-Riders.
Tyco described this dinosaur as follows: “The name Brontosaurus means “thunder lizard”. Imagine the noise a herd of them would have made as they walked along, and you will realize how good a name it is.
Brontosaurus was one of the largest animals ever to live. It belonged to a group of plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods. Like elephants today, the Brontosaurus was just too big to be attacked by the flesh-eating dinosaurs that lived at the same time.
Brontosaurus lived 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. It measured about 65 feet long and stood almost 30 feet tall. The Brontosaurus weighed in at 30 tons!”
This 1/24th scale dinosaur came with three Dino-Riders action figures: Serena, Ayce, and Ion. Its only action feature was a realistic head and neck movement. However, the main event was the battle station that it carried on its back. This station was loaded with cannons and land mines. It also featured laser leg armor.
One of these toys sold on eBay in mint-in-box condition for $3,000.00 on June 02, 2018.
1. Triceratops with Hammerhead and Sidewinder Evil Rulon Warriors
While the Triceratops made an appearance earlier in the list, that was the Japanese version. While some collectors value international copies of toys more than local ones, the US one beat the Japanese one this time.
As with the other dinosaurs in the line, Tyco provided a small bio for the Triceratops. This bio read as follows: “The huge Triceratops (“three-horned face”) grew up to 30 feet long and probably weighed about 6 tons. Triceratops was so large and so well equipped for defense that it is difficult to imagine how even Tyrannosaurus Rex could have brought it down.”
This 1/24th-scale dinosaur toy came with two evil Rulon Warrior action figures: Hammerhead and Sidewinder. It featured the real walking action that most of the dinosaurs from the Dino-Riders had. Meanwhile, its battle armor featured a rotating radar dish and twin phaser cannons.
One of these toys sold on eBay in mint-in-box condition for $3,300.00 on February 02, 2023.
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!